Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday “strongly cautioned” against taking the “aggressive fighting” in neighbouring Myanmar lightly while hinting at an influx of foreigners into the state.
Singh’s warning assumes importance because most Imphal Valley-based civil society organisations attribute the ongoing unrest in Manipur to the influx of Kuki-Chin people from Myanmar, cross-border narco trade and Kuki militant groups under suspension of operations.
Singh expressed his views while addressing a Vijay Diwas function in Imphal commemorating the victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
He said: “We cannot take what is happening in Myanmar easily... Security forces should also not neglect areas like Behiang which is bordering Myanmar and should take it seriously considering reports of aggressive fighting in the neighbouring country.”
Singh added: “We cannot deny humanitarian assistance to those fleeing their country (Myanmar) due to the violence and we are providing medicines and tents for them, but we need to identify them by collecting biometric data and provide temporary shelter. We are only asking them not to construct villages in the state.”
Behiang is in Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo majority district. While dwelling on efforts to collect the biometrics of foreigners in Kamjong and Ukhrul districts, he also flagged the problems in Behiang vis-a-vis capturing of biometrics.
The fighting Singh referred to was the one between the Myanmar military and the joint anti-Junta forces or PDF in Chin state and Sagiang, leading to displacement in the areas bordering Mizoram and Manipur with some even sneaking into these states. Last month, both residents and Myanmar soldiers trooped into neighbouring Mizoram fearing reprisals.
